Messages of Motivation & Empowerment
Veteran broadcast journalist CARI CHAMPION is renowned for getting to the heart and soul of issues, sharing a message of motivation and empowerment that is making a difference. As the Founder of Brown Girls Dream, Champion knows first-hand the impact of meaningful support and mentorship, and shares insights about finding your passion, staying inspired, and achieving your dreams.
Overcoming Adversity and Persevering in Work & Life
Multimedia game-changer and veteran broadcast journalist CARI CHAMPION has worked at the highest levels, overcoming personal and professional adversity to rise to the top of her field. Highly regarded for her courageous and authentic approach to discussing important issues, Champion shares takeaways about how to cultivate perseverance and invest in your dreams and yourself.
Diversity and Representation in Media
Inspired by the unfair representation she saw on TV growing up, veteran broadcast journalist CARI CHAMPION embarked on a powerhouse career covering stories for major networks with an eye to diversity and equity. With her unique perspective and unparalleled insights, Champion is an advocate for making space for marginalized voices in storytelling, and making a difference.
Women in the World of Sports
Veteran sports anchor and broadcast journalist CARI CHAMPION spent over ten years at ESPN covering nationally important sports stories, rising to the top of her field in the male-dominated worlds of sports and media. Champion shares her journey creating her own path, finding support and mentorship that were essential to her early career success, and the challenges and opportunities for women in the world of sports.
Cari Champion: Moderator and Host
As a veteran broadcast journalist, CARI CHAMPION is an expert at getting to the heart and soul of the story, and making the opportunity for guests to from all industries to reveal impactful insights. Champion deftly navigates the important conversations of the day, bringing her trademark authenticity, humor, and depth. She makes a fantastic choice for your next virtual or in-person event.
Women Making History: How Cari Champion Opens Doors for Women in Sports
Distinguished broadcast journalist and television personality CARI CHAMPION has significantly impacted and advanced the sports media industry for women today through her work as a mentor and role model. As reported by AfroTech, Champion’s mentorship program, Brown Girls Dream, has connected countless young black women to high-level mentors and opportunities in sports and media. Champion told Essence, “If I don’t hold the door open for the next Black or Brown girl behind me, why am I doing this? I feel like that is the best thing that anyone can do.”
Watch Cari Champion present at TEDxUCLAWomen >>
Watch Cari Champion moderate ESPN’s Women in Sports Summit >>
Cari Champion hosts the Naked with Cari Champion Podcast, showcasing her moderating and interviewing skills as she speaks vulnerably with some of today’s greatest names in sports and entertainment
Sports anchor, journalist, and host CARI CHAMPION showcases her moderating and interviewing skills as the host of the Naked with Cari Champion podcast. Champion speaks with some of the biggest names in today’s sports and entertainment world, and asks them to “get naked” by describing life-altering circumstances and events that helped shape who they are. She brings out the best in people as a professional interviewer, getting them to share the most interesting bits and information they might not share with someone else. In a world in which we show the best sides of ourselves on social media and in the news, Champion creates an environment in which celebrities are authentic and honest about their untold stories, the way they want to tell them. Just like on her podcast, Champion is a skilled interviewer and moderator at events, guiding intriguing conversations as she puts guests at ease and helps them share answers audiences want to hear.
Virtual Programming: Cari Champion makes history with her move to Vice TV, working alongside co-host Jemele Hill, as the first Black women to host a late-night cable show: Cari & Jemele: Stick to Sports.
CARI CHAMPION has worked across the country covering network news, entertainment, and sports stories of national interest for ABC, CBS, NBC and other cable networks. Champion worked as anchor, sports journalist, and host and spent nearly a decade at ESPN where she served as a SportsCenter anchor and host of ESPN2’s First Take. Most recently, Champion made history with her move to Vice TV, working alongside co-host Jemele Hill, as the first Black women to host a late-night cable show. Cari & Jemele: Stick to Sports deliver their unique, engaging, and comedic perspectives on today's issues. An entertaining and emboldened communicator, Champion has done features for The Insider, Hollywood 411 and Starz Entertainment. In her energizing and uplifting talks, at virtual and in-person events, Cari empowers audiences worldwide with a unique perspective and thoughts on women in the male-dominated world of sports, race, and ethnicity in both sports and media, how to overcome personal and professional adversity.
Cari Champion is a distinguished broadcast journalist and television personality who has significantly impacted and advanced the sports media industry for women today. With a career marked by notable achievements and contributions, Cari has consistently provided sports and culture enthusiasts with an authentic and candid perspective on various platforms.
As the host of her eponymous show, The Cari Champion Show, which aired on Amazon, she has engaged audiences with an unfiltered portrayal of sports, fostering an atmosphere akin to friendly conversations among peers. Additionally, Cari recently hosted CNN's New Year's celebration and she can be seen frequently as a regular contributor to the network.
Cari's influence extends beyond traditional television, as evidenced by the enthusiastic reception of her Naked with Cari Champion podcast, presented by iHeartMedia. Launched in the Summer of 2021, the podcast features thought-provoking interviews with prominent figures in the entertainment industry, offering listeners refreshing and nuanced conversations.
In recognition of her expertise and impact, Cari was selected to host the prestigious 2021 SI (Sports Illustrated) Awards alongside DJ Khaled, honoring notable sports personalities such as Tom Brady and Billie Jean King.
Cari's groundbreaking achievements include making history on Vice TV with her show, Cari & Jemele: Stick to Sports, where she became the first Black woman to host a late-night cable news and information program. Furthermore, her roles as a co-anchor for Tokyo Tonight during the 2020 Olympic Games and host of The Arena for TNT underscore her versatility and contribution to sports storytelling.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Cari is committed to mentorship and advocacy, particularly for women of color aspiring to careers in sports television and broadcasting. Through her foundation, Brown Girls Dream, she continues to inspire and empower the next generation of media professionals.
Prior to her current endeavors, Cari distinguished herself as an anchor and host at ESPN, where she held prominent roles on flagship programs such as SportsCenter’s "Coast to Coast," SportsNation, and First Take.
With a diverse background that includes serving as an anchor and courtside reporter for the Tennis Channel, Cari embodies excellence across various facets of sports media.
Currently dividing her time between Los Angeles and New York City, Cari enjoys fine wine and practicing yoga when not engaged in her professional endeavors.
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